NPCC Wraps Up Review into Drug Driving Evidence – Here’s What You Need to Know

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) have recently concluded their reviews into the analysis of drug driving samples conducted by Synlab Laboratory Services Limited. The reviews focused on the Section 5A Road Traffic Act toxicology testing for controlled drugs.

The review revealed that, due to issues with the quality assurance processes utilised by Synlab, all results produced by the laboratory between April 2019 and December 2020 must be withdrawn as evidence.

This review was conducted following an issue that was reported by Synlab in December 2020 to the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the FSR. This lead to the suspension of its UKAS accreditation and a review led by the NPCC with the participation of various organisations including the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners.

Over the course of 2021, the results of the initial reviews led to a number of cases being rescinded. A further significant review of Synlab’s processes and data was conducted in September 2021, which found that the analysis and processes were not up to standard, leading to the rescission of the remaining evidential results.

Out of the 4,255 samples analysed by Synlab between April 2019 and December 2020, 2,181 showed no drugs present or a level of drugs below the prescribed limit. 296 samples were from cases that were discontinued for various reasons, and the remaining 1,778 samples had drug levels reported by Synlab as above the prescribed limit, which have now been rescinded.

Chief Constable Nick Dean, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Forensics, expressed regret over the situation and emphasised the importance of ensuring reliable evidence in court. He thanked Synlab for their cooperation during the reviews and all the partners involved in the review process.

The conclusion of the NPCC-led review marks the end of this matter, and the CPS will be contacting all individuals whose samples have been rescinded. It is reported that no evidence of malicious intent was found during the review.

How can we help?

If you were accused and convicted of drug driving between April 2019 and December 2020 and your sample was handled by Synlab, your conviction could be removed from your record based on the above information.

If you have not received any correspondence from the CPS with regards to the above information, please get in contact with the Motoring Team at Chadwick Lawrence LLP at motoring@chadlaw.co.uk who will help you with your case. We have a strong reputation for providing quality representation and understanding our clients’ needs. With the right legal team on your side, you can feel confident that your rights and interests are properly represented.

Posted by Naila Hussain.

Paralegal, Crime and Regulatory Department